Dolphin Census In Progress In Odisha’s Chilika Lake & Gahirmatha Sanctuary

Bhubaneswar: The annual census of dolphins began in Chilika Lake and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha on Saturday, official sources said on Saturday.

The dolphin counting exercise in Chilika Lake which commenced at 6 am will take place in Balugaon Wildlife Division and Balugaon Range in Chilika for three days, official sources said.

As many as 18 teams including senior officials of the Forest Department, wildlife experts, OUAT students, boat associates, Chilika Development Authority (CDA), and other volunteers are taking part in the annual exercise.

While each team includes 8-10 people and experts, they are equipped with modern gadgets and given exclusive training on videography, photography, binoculars, and GPS for counting. The census team will follow the standard way to ascertain the dolphin population.

The Chilika Lake has been divided into two sides for the dolphin census. One is the outer channel of Satapada while another is the southern and central sides.

Altogether 173 dolphins were found in the Chilika Lake last year. Out of the total number, 154 were Irrawaddy while another 19 were bottle-nose dolphins. The final count will be given by the Forest department officials after the counting exercise is over.

Apart from Chilika, the dolphin census is also underway in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Kendrapara district. The annual exercise is being conducted by 9 teams.